Flooding hits Kulhudhuffushi City: 140 houses report damage as heavy rains lash Maldives

Heavy rains have caused flooding across several islands in the Maldives, with Kulhudhuffushi City reporting damage to 140 homes so far. Deputy Mayor of Kulhudhuffushi City Ahmed Abdullah said the council had received reports of varying damage from 140 households, along with several businesses. He said the city experiences significant flooding whenever there is heavy rain, and that an inspection found a blocked drainage area. Six pumps are being used to drain water from different areas, and channels have been cut in some areas to release water into the sea. The city council has opened a temporary hotline, 6527211, for residents to report flood-related incidents. In Haa Dhaalu Atoll's Nolhivaramfaru, council president Abdulla Nadeem said around 20 houses have reported damage, with 10 homes rendered unusable and nine homes suffering damage to sanitation systems. Water pumping was underway in four areas as rain continued. The Maldives Meteorological Service has issued a white alert from 10:00 to 15:00 today from Haa Alif Atoll to Addu Atoll, forecasting thunderstorms, heavy rain and winds of up to 40 miles per hour.